Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said at the press conference on January 21 that he instructed the ministerial officials to raise the labor rates for public works. According to the situation that construction workers’ wages have been on the rise, the current rates, which saw a highest ever rise last year is to be further increased. Minister Ota intends to apply the new rates in February.

The labor rates of FY2013 was increased by 15% in average of 51 occupations of all regions, by 21% especially in three disaster-hit prefectures in Tohoku region. The result of labor cost investigation conducted in October 2013 will be reflected in the new rates. Minister considers the increase will help the number of unsuccessful tenders decrease. (2014/01/22)